Alpha Natural Resources' Paramont Subsidiary Wins Top Virginia Mine Reclamation Award
Posted on: Tuesday, 17 April 2007, 12:00 CDT
ABINGDON, Va., April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. , a leading supplier of high-quality Appalachian coal, announces that one of its surface mines won a top reclamation award in Virginia for the second consecutive year.
The Black Bear #4 mine, located in Russell County, Va. and operated by Alpha's subsidiary Paramont Mining Co. Virginia LLC, won the 2007 Overall Award for Excellence in Mining and Reclamation from the Virginia Division of Mined Land Reclamation and the Virginia Mining Association (VMA). Three other Paramont operations also received awards at the 36th Annual VMA Awards Ceremony on April 12.
The Black Bear #4 mine was also awarded the 2007 Virginia Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) Award for its reforestation efforts. ARRI is a coalition of citizens, industry and government that is dedicated to restoring forests on mined land in the Eastern United States.
Last year, Paramont's nearby Black Bear #1 reclamation project won the national ARRI award as well as four other national and regional reclamation awards for thoughtful conservation and land management practices.
Black Bear #4 was reclaimed with the planting of more than 147,000 trees, including a dozen different species, which helps to offset greenhouse gasses. Supplemented with native and non-competitive ground cover, the reclamation plan provides a diversity of habitat for wildlife and creates a high quality commercial resource of hardwood trees.
"Paramont's remining and reforestation goals have set a very high standard for the entire coal industry to follow," stated the Virginia Mining Association.
Virginia's Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy also recognized Paramont for its approach to establishing a diverse forest on mined lands. According to DMME, over 80 percent of the state's coal mine land is reclaimed to a post-mining land use of forest.
"All our reclamation plans are carefully thought out to create an attractive post-mining environment for future generations to enjoy," said Eddie Bateman, president of Paramont Mining Co. Virginia. "This and other reclamation successes are tangible proof that mining and environmental stewardship can be compatible goals."
About Alpha Natural Resources
Alpha Natural Resources is a leading supplier of high-quality Appalachian coal to electric utilities, steel producers and heavy industry. Approximately 91 percent of the company's reserve base is high Btu coal and 82 percent is low sulfur, qualities that are in high demand among electric utilities which use steam coal. Alpha is also one of the nation's largest producers and exporters of metallurgical coal, a key ingredient in steel manufacturing. Alpha and its subsidiaries currently operate mining complexes in four states, consisting of 65 mines feeding 10 coal preparation and blending plants. The company and its subsidiaries employ more than 3,500 people.
ANRG
Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.
CONTACT: Ted Pile of Alpha Natural Resources, +1-276-623-2920
Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall
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